Is TikTok Really Safe For Kids? Things Parents Need To Know About TikTok

With more than 200 million active users, TikTok is one of the most popular apps among teens. And with a new update released in January 2019, its popularity with kids has only grown.

This article will give you an introduction to TikTok and explain if it’s safe for kids. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about this app. You may have heard your teen talking about TikTok recently maybe they even showed you their own clips on the app.

If so, you might be wondering if it’s safe for kids and whether or not they should continue using it. Read on to learn everything you need to know about this app and whether or not your child can safely use it.

What Is TikTok?

TikTok is a short-form video app that allows users to make, upload, and share short videos. It’s available for both iOS and Android devices and is free to download.

TikTok was originally created in China in 2016 but was acquired by American company ByteDance in August 2018. Since then TikTok has grown in popularity especially among teens in the US and UK. The app’s growth has come alongside a rise in short-form, visual content.

How To Use TikTok Safely

Like all social media platforms, TikTok can be used safely by following a few easy rules. First, make sure your child is old enough to use the app recommended age is 13 and above.

Next, set up a parent account with PIN and find out if TikTok has any age restrictions in your country. Finally, supervise your child while they are using the app. This includes setting daily time limits and checking your child’s public profile to see what they post.

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What Do Parents Say About The App?

When asked about the app, the majority of parents are not very positive about the app. Some parents say that TikTok is “filled with inappropriate videos” and that “kids are getting sexualized earlier and earlier.”

Others worry about TikTok’s popularity among cyberbullies “I know that cyberbullying is a huge problem and TikTok is one of the apps where kids can use to harass each other” one parent said.

But not all parents are so negative about the app. Some say TikTok is an easy way to “monitor their kids” and that it “gives parents the ability to view what their kids are doing online without being creepy.”

Does TikTok Have Parental Controls?

Yes! TikTok has a few different ways of setting parental controls. The first is a privacy setting that allows you to decide who can see your child’s profile.

The second is a passcode setting that lets you decide who can comment on your child’s posts. And the third is a moderation setting that lets you decide who can “follow” your child and see their public posts.

TikTok also has a “kid-friendly” mode that uses filters to block out inappropriate content. This feature can be turned on in settings but does not work on profiles that are not set to “kid-friendly.”

What If My Kid Wants To Get Famous On TikTok?

Getting famous or even just becoming well-known on TikTok is a dream for many of the app’s users. But parents worry about their kids potential for fame and the impact it could have on their mental health.

Kids who want to get famous on TikTok may be suffering from “influencer” envy. And it can easily transform into “commodity envy” a desire to be famous only because they are famous. If your child wants to get famous on TikTok, you might want to talk to them about their motivations.

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Ask them what being famous would mean to them and whether or not it would make them happy. You might also want to talk to them about the negative aspects of fame and how they could use TikTok positively.

TikTok Age Limit

With more than 200 million monthly users and growing, TikTok is one of the most popular social media apps among teens. But just how old do you have to be to use TikTok?

The app’s Terms of Service state that TikTok is not for anyone younger than 13. The app’s privacy settings also allow parents to choose whether or not their child can be seen by other TikTok users.

So, if you have a younger teen who wants to use TikTok, you can use the app’s privacy settings to prevent other users from seeing your child’s profile and posts.

Screen Time Management

It’s important to remember that while TikTok may be fun to use, it’s also a source of online content and visuals. So, like with any other form of media, you need to consider how much time your child spends.

And, just as you would with any other app, you need to set daily time limits for TikTok. This will help you prevent your child from spending too much time on the app and prevent them from experiencing negative effects of too much screen time such as social isolation. To set daily time limits for TikTok:

  • Open The TikTok App
  • Tap The Settings Icon
  • Tap Privacy & Settings
  • Select Parental Controls
  • Select Daily Limit
  • Select The Amount Of Time
  • Tap Save And Exit The App
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Restricted Mode In TikTok

If you are setting daily time limits for your child using TikTok and are worried that they spend too much time on the app, you can also activate “restricted mode” for TikTok.

Restricted mode allows you to limit the amount of time your child spends on TikTok for a set period of time. It also filters out inappropriate content and prevents your child from seeing the “following” feature.

This is a great way to limit your child’s time on TikTok and keep them away from inappropriate content at the same time. To activate restricted mode for TikTok:

  • Open The TikTok App
  • Tap The Settings Icon
  • Tap Privacy & Settings
  • Select Restricted Mode
  • Tap Activate
  • Tap Save And Exit The App

TikTok Parental Controls: Family Pairing

Family pairing is a great way to manage your child’s online activity. TikTok’s family pairing feature allows you to control what your child sees when they are using the app. To set family pairing for TikTok:

  • Open The TikTok App
  • Tap The Settings Icon
  • Select Family Pairing
  • Select Add Family Member
  • Select Your Child From The List And Enter Their PIN
  • Select Add Then Select Done
  • Exit The App And Open It Again

Final Words

As a parent, it can be easy to be overprotective when it comes to social media and online content. TikTok is one of the most popular apps among teens, and it’s easy to be negative about the app because of this. But, just as with any form of media, it’s important to talk to your child and set boundaries.

TikTok is a great way for teens to express themselves creatively, form communities with like-minded individuals, and express themselves creatively. And it’s important to keep an open mind and consider the positives of this app before deciding if it’s right for your child.

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